One of the most memorable runs of my life wasn't a marathon.
It was Hood to Coast—a 199-mile relay from the top of Mount Hood to the Pacific Ocean.
Around 3:00 a.m. on my second leg, I found myself running alone on a dark mountain road in Oregon.
The only light came from my headlamp and reflective vest.
The faster runners had disappeared ahead of me. The slower runners were far behind.
It was just me... and my thoughts.
"Am I even on the right road?"
I had no idea how far I'd run or how close I was to the next exchange.
For a moment, stopping sounded like a pretty good option.
But then I remembered something a friend had told me before another race:
If you stop, it's much harder to start again.
So I kept moving.
Not because I knew exactly where I was going, but because I trusted that the next set of lights would eventually come into view.
I've realized a lot of business owners feel the same way.
They wonder if they're headed in the right direction.
They feel alone in the decisions they're making.
Their financials aren't giving them clear answers.
They're tempted to stop.
Looking back, there are three lessons that have stayed with me:
• Prepare before the difficult season arrives.
• Don't run alone. Community and trusted advisors matter.
• Keep moving. Don't stop when things get painful. Evaluate, adjust, and take the next step.
The next exchange point may be closer than you think.
Don't let uncertainty convince you to stop. The answers you're looking for may already be in your numbers—you just need someone to help interpret the story. If that resonates with you, let's have a conversation. The first one is on us.
Rusty Fulling